Cut down the costs of a camping trip

Nothing beats the great outdoors and seeing the beauty of Mother Nature, and getting in touch with your inner outdoorsman is as easy as putting on a flannel shirt if you take a camping trip this summer.

This can be a great way to enjoy the pleasant weather, but with tents, campground and food costs, you may be spending a pretty penny just to get some fresh air. But you don't have to sacrifice your checking account in order to fully appreciate your trip. Here are a few ways you can save money on an outdoor adventure:

Stay close
Yellowstone or other national parks can be amazing to behold, but getting there could heavily deplete your budget if you live hundreds or thousands of miles away. Instead of venturing to far away places, have your camping excursion in your neck of the woods. You don't have to set up a tent in your backyard, but plug in your zip code in an online search and see where the closest campgrounds are. You can still enjoy the wonders of the outdoors even in your own area.

Shop for cheap materials
What are some of the most common pieces of camping equipment you can think of? Tents, sleeping bags, backpacks? These are all necessary items for your trip, but the price tags that come with them can seem ridiculous. By the time you buy all your gear, you may not have enough money for the rest of your trip.

Rather than paying top dollar for brand new camping equipment, check out thrift stores for used gear. If you run out of luck at these stores, ask your friends, family or co-workers if you can borrow their stuff for a few days.

Pack your own food
Nothing beats the fun of sitting around a campfire and roasting marshmallows. What isn't fun is blowing your budget on pre-packaged food from the grocery store. While these are quick and easy to whip up when you don't have a stove or microwave, they will cost more than cooking your own food. To save a few bucks on your food budget, buy some fresh ingredients and make your meals beforehand. Homemade chili can easily be heated up by the campfire and puppy chow can be whipped up in a matter of minutes.

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